One of the greatest joys of living on our piece of land in the Pacific Northwest is sharing it with the local wildlife. From the birds in the trees to the deer that wander through at dusk, our property often feels like a calm, welcome stop for them. But as any gardener knows, coexisting with wildlife is a delicate balance between wonder and frustration. Learning which animals are friends to the garden and which are […]
As a gardener, it’s easy to feel a little sad as fall arrives in the Pacific Northwest. The flurry of summer harvesting is over, the tomato vines are bare, and the garden begins to look tired. But I’ve learned to see this season not as an ending, but as a necessary and beautiful transition. This is the time to put the garden to bed for a well-deserved rest. It’s also a time for us to […]
Here in the Pacific Northwest, the shift from summer to fall can feel incredibly abrupt. One moment we’re harvesting daily, and the next, the familiar wet and windy weather has returned, and the trees are rushing to shed their colorful leaves. It’s a clear signal that the busy season of growing, harvesting, and canning is over. While it can feel a bit sad to say goodbye to the garden, this is a vital and […]
If you’ve ever grown indeterminate tomatoes, you know the struggle. Those flimsy, cone-shaped cages from the big box stores just can’t handle a vigorous, 8-foot-tall tomato plant loaded with fruit. They inevitably end up toppling over in the first summer windstorm. After years of frustration, we decided to find a better way. Our research led us to the local farm supply store and a wonderfully simple, cheap, and incredibly sturdy solution: building a trellis out […]
